#warmbodies A hit or a Miss? (One Zombie Writer's Take on the movie)

I must admit that I haven't read the book that this movie is based on. So in saying that, my feelings are based simply on seeing the movie as is, without that knowledge of what was missing, what was changed, or what was completely off base. In some respects, I like that I didn't read the book first. This is my opinion of the movie, and the movie alone. 

I'd watched the movie trailer for WARM BODIES a while back and was hesitant (see trailer below). Honestly, I thought it looked dumb and incredibly cheesy. It didn't grab me like the movie trailer for WORLD WAR Z. Now that movie had me sitting on the edge of my chair, nervous, yet highly intrigued. Because WARM BODIES didn't make a huge impression on me, I put this zombie movie on my "wait-until-the-video-comes-out" list. I was in no rush to go out and watch it.

Tonight, I went on a date with my husband and another couple (close friends of ours) and had planned to go bowling (Yes, people in their 40's go bowling. We're cool). When we got to the bowling alley, the place was packed so my friend suggested we go see WARM BODIES. She knew that because I'm a zombie enthusiast, not to mention an author of zombie novels (shameless plug here) she figured I'd be jumping at the chance to go see it. I wasn't jumping, but said what the heck. Secretly, as we searched our iphones for movie times, I checked out ROTTEN TOMATOES to see what the reviews had to say. I hate wasting money on poorly rated movies. But it had great ratings, which totally surprised me. Even the critics seemed to enjoy it (critics are hard to please, the buggers).

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Well let me tell you, I LOVED it! I really, really loved it! The theater was packed and we had to sit like five rows from the screen--it was that popular (and we'd even bought our tickets an hour early...it's one of those theaters where you pick and reserve your seats. We didn't have much choice). Anyhoo...I was pleasantly surprised by this romantic comedy of a zombie movie. The concept is different (not one I've seen done before) and I totally enjoyed it. But I'm a sucker for zombies and humor. The zombie movies that are all serious-like and terrifying, not so much. I like my zombies shambling and not all "you-don't-have-a-friggin'-chance" kind of zombies. I do still plan to see WORLD WAR Z despite the fact that those zombies look horribly terrifying (see trailer below).

I would have to say that WARM BODIES is now among one of my favorite zombie movies. The others: ZOMBIELAND (of course), SHAWN OF THE DEAD, and FIDO (awesome). It was funny without being overly dumb and I loved the characters. Of course, there were some not-so-plausibe zombie moments (like I prefer my zombies NOT to have the ability to kick me in my chest or open plane doors, but that's just me).

I walked away from this movie thinking, "Wow, when this movie comes out on DVD, I'm getting it!" So it's February, the month of love, so grab your honey and go check out this movie. I enjoyed it, and based on the reaction from the packed theater where I watched it, everyone else enjoyed it too (lots of laughing and several times people made comments back to the screen). Fun times.

So, have you seen it? What did you think? Have you read the book and if so, how did it compare (I'm curious about that)? When you go see it (if you do) come back and share your experience with me :)

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